Autism/PDD – The News You Need This Week (1/23/12)

For Previous Articles, Please Click Here.

Autism Litigation Under IDEA

Dr. Lee Wilkinson gives an overview of a study by Dr. Perry A. Zirkel. While I have to wonder what the impact of the proposed changes to the DSM-V will have on some of these numbers, this is still a very interesting look at IDEA litigation.

Autism Bullying Remains a Problematic Issue

If your Autistic Child has been the victim of bullying then this headline seems to understate things a bit. Nonetheless, this is another example of literally 100′s of articles that have come out recently about this problem. Awareness is the first step, true, but hopefully we will move on to prevention soon. Many people are calling for stricter punishment in schools for kids who bully. But I wonder if that is the answer. I think we need to get at why they are bullying and deal with that problem. Until we do that, punishment is just putting a band-aid on a cancer.

Touch: Autism and Special Needs on Fox TV

This airs on the Wednesday, the 25th. I’ll be waiting until it’s available on Netflix but if you watch it, I’d like to know what you think.

Tired (of Autism Misrepresentation)

Absolutely must read article. It is vital that we remember that Autism is a spectrum disorder and that means that all must be considered. My only concern with Ms. Brown’s position is the I’m right and they are wrong attitude. She speaks from her own perspective and shares some very important insights. But it is her perspective.

Autism is a spectrum disorder and therefore our opinions and beliefs, whether we are Autistic or not, will be across a spectrum. And in advocating for inclusion of all, all opinions must be heard and accepted. Disagreed with, perhaps, because they don’t fit our individual situation, but heard and accepted nonetheless.

Handwriting and autism

This is an important reminder that the goal is communication.

 A post from Autism Daddy…

A lot to think about in this letter. For Moms, too.

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

 

Help make The Village Your Village but sharing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions in this short survey. It’ll only take a few minutes but I appreciate your time very much.

Autism/PDD – The News You Need This Week (1/16/12)

For Previous Articles, Please Click Here.

Autism Life Success System: Understanding Assessments

This is an excellent interview with Dr. Lee Wilkinson, a school psychologist and author of the award winning book, “A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Aspergers Syndrome”

A Diagnosis of Autism: Making Adjustments to Manage Feelings of Loss and Grief

If your child has just been diagnosed or you know someone just starting this process, Connie Hammer’s article offers some helpful perspective.

Proposed DSM 5 Changes and Autism: What Parents & Advocates Need to Know

An excellent, easy-to-understand overview.

Registries of autistic children arm police with information

A local Mom suggested this a few years ago and I think it could be helpful. What are your thoughts?

Should Teens With Autism Drive?

This is an interesting question and must be decided on a case-by-case basis. For example, Matthew is capable of learning how to drive but he could not handle driving.

Lego therapy helps teen in coping with Asperger’s syndrome

Interesting look at why Lego’s help.

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

Help make The Village Your Village but sharing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions in this short survey. It’ll only take a few minutes but I appreciate your time very much.

 

 

Autism/ASD – The News You Need This Week (1/2/12)

Autism/PDD – The News You Need This Week

Happy New Year! Stay tuned for our new weekly Interviews feature starting this Friday. I will be speaking with Jessica from Special Olympics.

For Previous Articles, Please Click Here.

 Autism Discrimination, Ignorance or Just a Movie Review?

When I first heard about the new Tom Hanks – Sandra Bullock movie, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, I did not realize that it was a story about a boy with Autism. The brief synopsis I read just mentioned that it was the story of nine-year-old Oskar Schell who loses his father in the World Trade Center attacks and must come to grips with his loss. Apparently it is not mentioned in the novel or in the film but he is suspected of having Asperger’s Syndrome.

This article on Autism Key,  New Tom Hanks Film Unearths Autism Discrimination,  is an interesting look at some of the reviews. Author Michelle Gonzalez makes some interesting observations on the reactions to the movie.

I have had my share of interactions with ignorant people and I admit to being a bit shocked by some of the statements made about how Oskar was portrayed in the movie. But then again, I am understandably biased. I suppose most people who read this are. That being said, we are the ones who need to educate the ignorant.

Are these statements just being made out of ignorance? Should Oskar’s character have been re-written to show less Autistic Characteristics? Are we being unreasonable to ask movie goers to spend two hours with this character?

What do you think?

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

Help make The Village Your Village but sharing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions in this short survey. It’ll only take a few minutes but I appreciate your time very much.

Thanks,

Sandra